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Incubate. Innovate. Accelerate.

March 2012

CLIENT COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

Dataspeed, IncorporatedDataspeed Inc., a client of the Macomb-OU INCubator, specializes in the design and development of complex electronic systems. They have expertise in all facets of electronics design and manufacturing including schematic capture, pcb layout, software design, test and validation. A seasoned team of electrical, mechanical and software engineers, they work on a number of projects ranging from just a couple of prototypes to partnering with manufacturing partners to produce higher volumes.

Dataspeed designed the M9 Chromatograph shown to the right for a client doing well-site monitoring in the Bakken shale region of North Dakota. It is used to monitor the natural gas found while drilling. The components found in the gas, including methane and propane, are analyzed with the data used to guide the horizontal drilling head into the shale layer. This instrument is unique in that it has four infrared sensors for analyzing this gas and can analyze two samples concurrently through its dual chromatograph. To date, twenty M9 Chromatograph units have been manufactured and shipped.

Paul Fleck, President and owner of Dataspeed, Inc. has been working closely with Wayne Blizman, Executive in Residence at Macomb-OU INCubator. "Wayne has been very helpful with helping us to further define our business plan and marketing strategy," says Fleck. "Wayne has a lot of practical knowledge, which I am thankful I have access to through the incubator." For further information, please contact Paul Fleck at (248) 884-8291 or pfleck@dataspeedinc.com.

M9 Chromatograph

Bakken shale region ofNorth Dakota

MAC-OU INC HAPPENINGS

Coliant Granted $250,000 Loan to Advance Innovative Tech (Powerlet) ProductsThe
Coliant Corporation, designers and manufacturers of innovative products
that enable power sport enthusiasts to use high technology appliances
while riding their vehicles, has secured a $250,000 pre-seed fund loan
with the aid of the Macomb-OU INCubator.

"The Michigan Pre-Seed
Fund investment in Coliant Corporation would not have been possible
without the full support of Julie Gustafson and the Macomb-OU INCubator
staff," said President and CEO John Swiatek.Read More

Mac-OU INC's Business Advisory Board (BAB)Our Business Advisory Board consists of well-rounded senior executives from
a broad section of industries. They have combined expertise and
experience needed to assist a client company in identifying and
addressing specific business issues and opportunities. Business Advisory
Board members are subject matter experts in their respective fields,
and are selected based on the client company's focus, objectives and
plans for growth. Board members are volunteers who provide advice and
counsel.

As a volunteer Board member, individuals have the
opportunity to network with other senior executives, influence the
successful growth of a start-up or emerging company and help in increasing
employment in the local economy. Michigan's success is based on the jobs
created as small companies expand and grow into larger businesses.
Numerous comments from the previous and current Board members attest to
the personal satisfaction they have realized in giving back to the
community.

We are looking to increase our Business Advisory Board volunteer member base. For more information, or to apply, please emailmacINC@oakland.edu. Read More

MAC-OU INC STAFF

Mike Belanger, Oakland University Intern

Mike BelangerInformation Management and IT CoordinatorMike
Belanger is a senior at Oakland University, planning to graduate in the
summer of 2012. His major is Management Information Systems, focusing
on network management and internet security. In addition to managing the
Macomb-OU INCubator's network, Mike provides technical support to
incubator staff as well as clients, and assists with web site editing
and the creation of marketing materials using his knowledge of graphic
design programs. Mike plans to advance in the field of network
management after graduation, using the knowledge that he's gained from
and brought to the incubator. We've been fortunate to have him on staff!

SPEAKER FEATURES

Nikki LittleLunch and Launch Series: How to Fully Take Advantage of LinkedInApril 5 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Nikki Little, a public relations (PR) professional and social media strategist, concentrates on linking the two disciplines to create a comprehensive plan for businesses. She specializes in creating brand awareness, new customer relationships and relevant online dialogue.

In addition to her work for Identity PR, Little is secretary of Social Media Club Detroit, a member of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Detroit, a discussion leader for Tweetea (a bi-weekly discussion group that brings the metro Detroit social media community together in person), the Help a PR Pro Out Michigan Champion, a contributing writer to Metromix Detroit, manages and contributes to Identity PR's blog, ID Tags, and is an executive board member for Operation: Kid Equip.

Cunningham focuses his practice in two
principle areas, the representation of loan servicers and lenders in
workout negotiations related to commercial mortgage loans in default and
the representation of businesses with respect to complex corporate
transactions and securities law. His practices include business and
corporate services, business start-ups and early round financing,
mergers and acquisitions and securities law.

Eberhard practices in the areas of
corporate and real estate law. He regularly assists clients with the
review, preparation and negotiation of all types of contracts, including
purchase orders, sales and supply contracts, service agreements,
employment agreements, construction contracts, lease agreements and
purchase agreements. He is a council member of the Business Law Section
of the State Bar of Michigan, a graduate of Leadership Macomb and is
involved in many other professional and community organizations.

Jim Cunningham

Dave Eberhard

EVENT REVIEWS

Bruce BurtonMarch 7: Fireside Growth Story Series

Audience Reviews:

"Excellent presentation. Mr. Burton was very knowledgeable and inspiring."

"[Bruce Burton was] top notch!"

"[Bruce Burton was] an extremely effective speaker. This event was great and very helpful - I learned a lot! Please offer more of these!"

David MurrayMarch 8: Lunch and Launch Series: Defining Social Media Return on Investment

Audience reviews:

"[David Murray was] great, very enjoyable. I loved it and would come again."

Socialnomics is described by Erik Qualman as "the value created and shared via social media and its efficient influence on outcomes (economic, political, relational, etc.). Or, more simply put, it's Word of Mouth on digital steroids.""Socialnomics" is a must-read for anyone
interested in the impact of social media on society. While it is not a
book on social media 101, it instead offers case studies and
explanations of social media theories. It creates food for thought on ways to implement this strategy into your own company's marketing model.

Qualman makes arguments that investing time in social media actually makes a person more productive. He recognizes that social media has
lent itself to the inability of people to write correctly and speak in
public, however, the positives of social media strongly outweigh the
negatives. Social media makes sense of excess information on the web. A Nielsen Study concluded that 78 percent of people trust peer recommendations, as found through social media, whereas only 14 percent trust advertisements. Facebook is not just about cultivating relationships with people, but it is a big reason behind why Barack Obama is President and why different companies have created names for themselves.

Qualman concludes that Word of Mouth has become World of Mouth. Qualman states that if Facebook were a
country, it would be the third largest in the world only behind China
and India. However, some of China's social media are even larger than
Facebook. Traditional advertising agencies need to switch over to this new form of marketing to keep up with the consumer base of today,

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SPRING 2012
EVENTS

Lunch and Launch Series:How to Fully Take Advantage of LinkedIn, Nikki LittleApril 5 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.A Public Relations professional and social media strategist at Identity PR, Little will teach the ins and outs of LinkedIn - and how to put it to work to enhance you and your company's success. Read MoreMEDC Entrepreneurial Bus Tour Headed to Mac-OU INC at VelocityApril 17 1:55 p.m.By request, the MEDC is organizing a bus tour to most of the Smart Zones in Michigan, in order to educate early stage tech companies, university faculty and staff, and students about the opportunities to work with these programs..Read MoreLunch and Launch Series:Legal Contracts 101 for Business, Dave Eberhard and Jim Cunningham, Warner Norcross & Judd LLCApril 19 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.This workshop will provide an overview of the legal elements of a contract and illustrations of how certain terms and conditions of a contract may help or harm your business. Read MoreLean Green Belt Certificate TrainingMay 1-June 28, 2012This program aims to educate business
professionals on the aspects of lean principles that can be applied to
their business internally in order to make their organization ready for
diversification..Read More